Israel Maintains Positive Image in U.S.

Story Highlights

Just over seven in 10 Americans have a favorable opinion of Israel

About one in four view Israel unfavorably

Netanyahu's ratings tilt positive, 49% to 30%

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump meet in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, 71% of Americans have a favorable view of Israel and 27% an unfavorable view. That represents the fourth straight year that Israel's favorable rating has been 70% or higher.

From 2005 through 2012, Israel's favorable score varied between 63% and 71%, but with most readings below 70%. Before that, it was more volatile, surging to 79% during the 1991 Gulf War but registering below 60% at times in 1989, 1991, 1992, 2000, 2002 and 2004.

Gallup asks Americans to give their impression of Israel and numerous other countries each year as part of its annual February World Affairs survey. This year's survey was conducted Feb. 1-5 and found 29% viewing Israel very favorably, 42% mostly favorably, 21% mostly unfavorably and 6% very unfavorably. Just 8% have no opinion of the Jewish state.

Israel enjoys a positive image among all major U.S. demographic and political groups, but scores particularly well with Republicans (81% view it favorably) and adults 65 and older (77%). While a majority of Democrats view Israel favorably, the 61% doing so is the lowest of any major subgroup.

Americans' Overall Opinions of Israel

Total favorable

Total unfavorable

%

%

U.S. adults

71

27

Republicans

81

18

Independents

70

27

Democrats

61

36

Men

73

26

Women

69

29

18 to 29

63

33

30 to 49

70

29

50 to 64

72

26

65 and older

77

21

Postgraduate

71

27

College graduate only

72

25

Some college

69

27

No college

70

27

Gallup, Feb. 1-5, 2017

Netanyahu's Image Generally Positive

Although Netanyahu himself receives more positive than negative reviews from Americans, his 49% favorable rating from U.S. adults is significantly lower than the rating of the country he governs. Another 30% view him unfavorably, while 21% -- higher than the 8% for Israel -- have no opinion of him.

Israel is broadly liked in the U.S., with a favorable rating hovering near 70% in recent years. At 49%, Netanyahu's U.S. favorable rating falls well short of this but is net positive. Meanwhile, Trump is struggling with low job approval ratings, including an especially weak rating on foreign affairs. Wednesday's meeting with Netanyahu thus presents an opportunity for Trump to boost those ratings by engaging in friendly diplomacy.

While Americans sympathize more with the Israelis than the Palestinians in the regional dispute, they have long considered the conflict a threat to U.S. interests. Given this, Trump could also benefit in Americans' eyes if he is seen actively working toward a solution -- what he has called the "ultimate deal."

Survey Methods

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted Feb. 1-5, 2017, with a random sample of 1,035 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. All reported margins of sampling error include computed design effects for weighting.

Each sample of national adults includes a minimum quota of 70% cellphone respondents and 30% landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas by time zone within region. Landline and cellular telephone numbers are selected using random-digit-dial methods.